Heat exchange device



Nov. 10, 1931. A. B. Mo|: |Nx-: E 1,830,954

HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE l l Filed March 25.11927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 10, 1931. A. B.` MoDl'NE 1,830,954

HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE Filed March z5. 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR B. MODINE, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T O MODINE MANUFACTURING COIIYIIEANY, F RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN' naar EXCHANGE nnvIcE Application led March 25, 1927. Serial No. 178,487.

My invention relates to heat exchange de- .vices and has amongits other objects the production of devices of the kind described which are compact, convenient, eicient, durable and 'satisfactory for use wherever found applicable.

My invention is particularly adapted to be embodied in heat exchange devices of the type shown and described in my copending 1o application, Serial No. 673,535 filed Novem ber 8, 1923, but it is to be understood that the invention is limited to this use only to the extent indicated in the appended claims..

A particular object of the invention is to 1c provide improved means for controlling'the flow of fluid into the improved heat exchange devices.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide improved means for automatically controlling the discharge of iiuid from the improved heat exchange devices.

One form of the invention is embodied in a radiator adapted to be used to heat a dwelling, or the like. The improved radiator comprises spaced tanks which communicate with each other through a plurality of thin walled tubes and one of the tanks is adapted to be connected .to a pipe whereby heatingfluid may bel delivered to the radiator, the liow of fluid into the radiator by way of said pipe being controlled by a valve positioned within thetank. Thermostatically operated means is provided inthe'other tank for preventing steam, or the equivalent, from escaping` .from the radiator into a drain.

Many other objects and advantages of the constructio` herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled' in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on` line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. l

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 10 designates generally a heat exchange device or radiator which is preferably positioned within a housing or cabinet 11, or the equivalent, and is preferably constructed in substantially the same manner as the heat exchange device shown in the aforementioned copending application. That is, the radiator 10 comprises spaced headers or tanks 12 and 13 which communicate with each other through a plurality of thin-walled tubes 14, the ends of the tubes heing soldered or otherwise secured in header plates 15 and'l which are soldered or otherwise secured to the tanks 12 and 13, respectively. As shown, the header plates 15 and 16 are provided with integral flanges 17 which project into grooves 18 formed inthe walls of the tanks 12 and 13, the construction being such that solder may be introduced into the grooves to hold the anges 17 therein. Arranged upon the tubes 14 and preferably, soldered thereto area plurality of ins 21 which aid in the exchange of heat between fluid-fin the tubes and the surrounding atmosphere.

A pipe 23 is provided for operatively connecting the tank 12 to a supply of heated fluid under pressure, ,the pipe 23 being screwthreaded into aboss 24 which is preferably formed integral with the tank 12 and preferably comprises an l.shaped passage 25 whereby the pipe 23 may communicate with the interior ot the tank. Formed at the inneiend of the passage 25 is a` valve seat 26 engageable by a valve 2'? which is carried by a valve stem 28, the valve stem 28 being screw-threaded into a boss 30V which is preferably formed integral with the tank 12 and is preferably provided with a packing gland 32. At its outer end the valve stem 28 is provided with a handle 34, or the equivalent, which may be manipulated to seat the valve 27 upon the valve seat 26 or to move it into a plurality of adjusted positions with respect to the valve seat. As shown, the housing or cabinet 11 is preferably provided with an i aperture 35 through which the valve-stem 28 projects.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the tank 13 is provided with an integra-l boss 37 into which one end of a pipe 38 is screw-threaded, the pipe 38 serving as a drain in a manner hereinafter described. The tank 13 may communicate with the pipe 38 through an aperture 39 provided in a partition40 formed integral with the boss 37. The flow of Huid-through the aperture 39 is preferably controlled by a thermostatic device which is designated generally by the reference character 42 and preferably comprises a valve member 43 adapted to engage the partition 40 to close the aperture 39. The valve member' 43 is carried by a diaphragm 44 which cooperates with a diaphragm 45 to form a chamber 46, the chamber 46 being preferably filled with a fluid which is responsive to variations in temperature. Rigidly secured to the diaphragm 45 is a post 47 which is screw-threaded into a bracket 48, the bracket 48 being rigidly secured to the tank 13 by screws 50, or the equivalent. The upper end of the post 47 is preferably provided with a slot 52 which may be engaged by a screw-driver so that the thermostatic device-42 may be raised or lowered. as a unit with respect to the aperture 39 provided in the partition 40. To permit access to the thermostatic device 42, I preferably provide an aperture 54 in the Wall of the tank 13. which aperture 54'is normally closed by a plug 55.

The housing or cabinet 11 may be of any suitable construction and is preferably provided with an opening l56 in its upper end, a grille 57 being preferably positioned in the opening. The lower end of the cabinet 11 is preferably constructed in such manner that air may enter the cabinet and flow upwardly through the radiator 10 to the opening 56 and thence into the room in which the radiator is positioned. Obviously, when heating fluid is supplied to the radiator. a column of heated air will rise continuously in the cabinet 11 and be dispersed into the room through the grillel 57.

The operation of the above described aparatus is substantially as follows: Assumlng that the pipe 23 is connected to a boiler or any other suitable apparatus for supplying steam under pressure and assuming that the valve 27 is spaced from its seat 26. it

60 is obvious that steam will flow into the tubes 14 and that there will be an exchange of heat between the steam and the air surrounding the tubes. The exchange of heat causes a column of air to rise continuously in the cabinet 11 in the manner described above.

If, at any time, it is desired to lower the temperature o'f the room, the handle 34 may be manipulated to seat the valve 27 upon the valve seat 26 whereupon steam will cease to flow into the tubes 14` and there will be no exchange of heat between the contents of the tubes and the surrounding air. Of course, the temperature of the room can be regulated by bringing the valve 27 into an adjusted position with respect to the valve seat 26. Thus, if the valve 27 is spaced a relatively small distance from its valve seat 26, a relatively small amount of steam will flow into the .tubes 14 and there will be a correspondingly small exchange of heat between the contents of the tubes and the surrounding air.

Assuming that steam has been admitted into t-he radiator 10 by way of the pipe 23, it is obvious that some of the steam will escape at first into the drain pipe 38 by way of the aperture 39. However, the thermostatic device 42 is so constructed that when it is subjected to the relatively high temperature of the steam, the fluid in the chamber 46 expands and causes the valve member 43 to close the aperture 39. If the valve 27 is subsequently brought into engagement with the valve seat 26, the steam in the radiator will condense and the temperature to which the thermostatic device 42 is then subjected will cause the valve member 43 to move into a position wherein it permits the condensate to drain into the pipe 38 by way of the aperture 39.

Having thus described my invention, it is. obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A radiator comprised of a pair of tanks, a plurality of tubes connecting said tanks, one of said tanks having a uid inlet and the other a fluid outlet, a manually operable valve for controlling the fluid inlet, the stem of said valve being arranged longitudinally of the tank, and said inlet having a seat for cooperation with said valve.

2. A radiator comprised of a pair of tanks and a plurality of tubes arranged transversely of said tanks connecting said tanks, each of said tanks having an open side providing for communication between said tanks and tubes, said tanks being respectively provided with a iuid'outlet and a fluid Inlet,

and a valve controlling said inlet and outlet, said valve for said inlet being manually operable and having the stem thereof extended through an end wall of said tank and said inlet being arranged transversely to the length of the tank.

3. A radiator comprised of a casing having an opening adjacent the upper end and an opening provided adjacent the lower end providing means whereby air may circulate through said casing, a radiator unit comprised oftanks and tubes connecting said tanks, said radiator unit being arranged transversely of said casing in the lower portion of said casing, one of said tanks having a Huid inlet and the other having a Huid outlet, the iuid inlet terminating in said tank and providing a valve seat, a valve having a stem which projects through said tank and said casing to thereby provide means located exteriorly of said casing for controlling said radiator unit located in said casing.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ARTHUR B. MODINE. 

